Garter fastener



June 20, 1939. E J, SCHUHMACHER 2,163,521.

GARTER FASTENER Filed May l5, 1936 INVENTOR mfg/MM@ HIS ATTORNEYS Patented June 20, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

My invention relates to stocking supporting devices, and has among its objects and advantages the provision of an improved fastener for garters.7

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. l is a view illustrating a fastener attached to a stocking;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View along the line 2-12 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the clamp parts in separated relation.

In the embodiment selected to illustrate my invention, I make use of a fastener I0 including two grip parts I 2 and I4. These parts co-operate for connection with a stocking I6. The part I2 includes a wide portion I8 connected with a stocking engaging part 20 through the medium of a neck 22. The part 26 includes a flange 24 for the reception of the wide end 26 of the part I4. The upper end of the part I4 is wider than the neck 28, and the end 26 is of the same width as the part 26. The ange 24 is arranged in spaced relation with the part 20 to provide a trough or abutment 25 (see Fig. 2) within which the end 26 is positioned when the fastener is attached to the stocking.

The grip parts I2 and I4 are secured together by means of a'conventional snap fastener 30. Each of the parts I2 and I4 includes a slot 32 and 34, respectively. An elastic strap 36 comprising a part of the garter is threaded through the slots 32 and 34 and the strap is looped as at 38 for connecting purposes.

In operation, the wide end 20 of the part I2 is passed underneath the stocking I6 and the wide end 26 of the part I4 is pressed into the trough formed by the part gil and the flange 24. The two parts are then connected together by the snap fastener 36, at which time the stocking is @Hectively pinched within the trough. Referring to Fig. 2, it will be noted that the part I4 is slightly bowed at 40. The part I4 is bowed or buckled when the snap fastener is connected, which bowing causes the stocking to be eiectively pinched within the trough 25 as indicated at 42.

The parts 20 and 26 are of such width as to pinch a wide area of the stocking, thereby distributing the connection between the fastener and the stocking over a wide area. In this way, I eliminate localization of forces incident to conventional fasteners which tend to tear the stocking. In Fig. 3, I illustrate the wide parts 26 and 26 as being curved to conform to the leg of the wearer.

When the parts I2 and I4 are connected together by the snap fastener 30, the slot 32 is positioned below the slot 34. In this way, the load carried by the garter is transferred to the part I2 so that no pull is applied to the part I4. This arrangement prevents any pull from being transferred to the part I4.

The ends of the flange 24 are curved at 44 to preventing puncture of the stocking. The parts I2 and I4 are easily separated because of the shape of the two parts. The neck 22 is narrower than the neck 28 in the area 46, while the area I8 of the part I2 is wider than the part I4 at that point. In operating the two parts, the area I8 may be supported with one hand, while the projecting area 46 permits the part I4 to be grasped to facilitate disconnection of the fastener 30.

The parts I2 and I4 may be made of any suitable material. I have attained good results with Celluloid. Buckling of the part I4, as at 40, provides an effective holding function for that portion of the stocking pinched within the trough 25.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain my invention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

I claim:

l. A device of the type described comprising two grip parts, one of said grip parts including a trough, one end of the other part being arranged to lie within the trough, and means for detachably connecting the two grip parts for holding said one end in pinching relation with said trough, each of said grip parts being provided with slots for connection with a garter, the slot in the grip part having the trough being positioned lower than the other slot when the grip parts are fastened together.

2. A garter fastening comprising a first grip part having an abutment, a second grip part having an end co-operating with said abutment for pinching a stocking, means for detachably connecting said parts, said end of the second grip part being held in pressure relation with said abutment when the two parts are fastened together, and means movably connecting said parts together, said second means being connected with the two parts in such a manner as to transfer the pull on the fastening to one of said parts when the two parts are connected together.

3. A garter fastening comprising a rst grip part having an abutment, a second grip part having an end cooperating with said abutment for pinching a stocking, means for detachably connecting said iirst and second grip parts, said means holding said second part in stocking pressure relation with said abutment, said first and second parts being slotted, and a supporting strap passing through said slots, the slot in said rst part being lower than the slot in the second part when the parts are connected, to transmit the load on said strap to said first part.

ELMER J. SCHUHMACBER. 

